Method and device for controlling preserving apparatus



W. P. WHIE.

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR coNTRoLuNG PRESERVING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9,1919.

1,385,599. Patented July 26, 1921.

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W. P. WHITE.

METHOD AND DEVICE FDR CDNTRDLUNG PRESE'RVING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9, I9I9.

1.385599. 'Patented July 26, 1921,

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WLLIAM P. WHITE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YYORK, ASSIGNOR TO ANCHOR CAP & CLOSURE CORPORATION, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 26, 1921.

Application iled April 9, 1.919.4 Serial No. 288,725.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that l, VILLIAM P. l/VHITE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods and Devices for Controlling Preserving Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for use in preserving food-stuffs and the like, and has particular reference to a method and an' apparatus designed for use in the processing of food-stuffs packed in individual containers and sterilized under a heat applied to the outside of the containers.

Under present practice in the processing of food-stuffs packed in containers it is customary, while subjecting the container to a sterilizing heat, to subjectit also to an eX- terior fluid pressure within the retort or apparatus in which it is being treated, for the purpose of counteracting or equalizing the internal pressure developed by the sterilizing heat. This is necessary in order to prevent bursting, swelling or distortion of the containers, or the forcing of the closures of the containers, by the internal pressure.

Experience has demonstrated that there is a wide variation in the amount of ressure developed within containers during the processing. This is due not only to the different degrees of heat which must be utilized with different food-stuffs, but also to 'the nature of the different food-stuffs themselves, some products developing pressures greater than others,'and some products developing pressures more rapidly than others. Attempts have been made, through experimentation, to lay out in empirical tables the proper temperatures and external pressures required by different food-stuffs, but data compiled in this form are only relative and approximate, due to the variation in pressure developed by different lots of the same sort of food-stuffs. As a result, the regulation of the processing pressure remains, in

present practice, largely a matter of guess or estimation, the accuracy of which varies with the individual, and the results of which entail losses through bursting, leaking, or distorted containers.

, Inasmuch as the internal pressure developed in the food containers during the progress of the process varies over a wide range, first rising as the sterilizing temperature 1s raised, and then falling, as the containers are cooled, it necessarily follows that the regulation of the equalizing pressure must be continuous, and must follow immediately the sometimes slow and sometimes lrapid changes of pressure within the containers and in the retort exterior of the containers.

-It is the object of my invention to provide .a method for the regulation of the equahzing pressure within the processing retort whereby the external or equalizing pressure imposed upon the containers will be automatically varied immediately and in the proper proportion to meet all variations in the internal pressure of the containers. lt 1s a correlative object of my invention to provide a novel apparatus whereby this method of regulation may be put into effect.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a method and apparatus whereby the regulation of the equalizing pressure is independent of human agency, thus eliminating the inaccuracy and uncertainty arising from estimation and the lack of uniformity of human skill.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a method and apparatus, the

range of application of which is unlimited`v as to the diversity of products on which it may be employed.

More specifically stated, the object of my invention is to provide a method and apparatus in which the condition of the container itself while undergoing the processing is the initiating factor in accomplishing regulation of the equalizing pressure.

Still more specifically stated, my method l and apparatus involves the utilization of a specimen container from the lot which is being processed to accomplish the regulation of the external pressure in accordance with the requirements imposed by the internal pressures developed -in the specimen container during the sterilizing process.

Other and further objects of my invention will be obvious or pointed out herein, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated one of the forms in which the invention may be practised and certain ofthe wide variety of devices by which the method may be carried into effect. It will be understood that the arrangements shown in the drawings and hereinafter described are given as illustrative of the invention merely, and do not attempt to ortray the limits of its embodiments.

n the drawings Figure 1 represents a fragmentary diagrammatic illustration of a por tion of a processing retort with certain of its adjunct controlling apparatus, illustrating the application of my invention;

2 is a top or plan view, partly in section, of one form of device constituting one of my present mventions;

Fig. Bis a sectional view taken approximately on line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic detail in the nature of a section through the controlling valve mechanism ofthe device illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic detail view illustrating a form of control valve.

Referring to these illustrations in detail, by means of the reference numerals it will be understood that the numeral 10 designates generally a processing retort suitable for use in the processing of food-stuffs in sealed containers, which may be of the sort illustrated in the patent to Luhrmann and Magrane, #1,194,252 granted May 23, 1916. This retort is fed by a steam inlet pipe 11 coming from a suitable source of hot steam supply, the admission of steam from this source being controlled by a valve 12. The retort is also fitted for the introduction of a pressure fluid, such as compressed air, which may be by way of the pipe 14 illustrated', the same being fed from a suitable compressor or fluid pressure storage. Admission of the pressure fluid may be controlled by a suitable valre, as 15. It is immaterial, of course, so far as my present invention is concerned, whether or not the steam and the pressure fluid are mixed before introduction into the retort, or introduced separately, it being simply necessary that they be subject to independent control. The numeral 16 designates a suitable safety valve operable at a predetermined maximum pressure. Numeral 17 designates containers of food-stuffs disposed in the retort for subjection to the processing. As is well known in the art, the containers of food-stuffs having been deposited in the retort, and the retort closed, the retort is subjected to the sterilizing heat introduced through the pipe 11, whereby the temperature within theretort is raised to the proper degree. It is also to be understood that the fluid pressure supplied by way 'of the pipe 14 is such that a suitable excess pressure may be built up within the retort exterior of the containers therein to prevent distortion, breakage or uncapping of such containers by the pressure developed within them due to the sterlizing orcooking temperature. By means of a pipe 18 fed from a suitable pressure source cooling Huid, such as cold water, may be introduced within the retort for the purpose of reducing the temperature of the containers and their contents upon the completion of the sterilizing or cooking operation. Y i

IIt will'be obvious, that as the temperature of the contents of the containers is increased by the introduction of the heating fluid, the pressure developing within them internally will increase. It is likewise obvious that when thecooling fluid is introduced within the heated retort, there will be a very sudden fall of pressure Within the retort exterior of the containers, due to the sudden drop in temperature, before the contents of the containers has had time to cool. Inasmuch as the contents of the containers is not cooled so quickly as the air or other fluid surroundand their contents, as the temperature of the contents is raised and the pressureis developed Within the containers, pliable portions of the containers will be flexed or moved more or less by the variation in pressure. In most instances the containers, when their contents are packed, are sealed under a vacuum. Whether the containers themselves are of metal, or whether they are of glass sealed with metal caps or other pliable material, this sealing under a vacuum has the effect of forcing slightly inwardly the unsupported portions of the caps, so that they are somewhat concave externally. The development of internal pressure within the containers as the temperature of their contents is raised, therefore, would first tend to take up this concavity by flexing the metal of the caps outwardly, and if unopposed by external pressure, would still further flex the caps to a condition where they would be convex externally, or even forced or moved from their seats. By the introduction of suitable uid pressure within the retort exterior of the container the outward flectioi of pliable portions'or displacement of the caps may be limited.

By my invention I render the supply of fluid pressure necessary for counteracting the initial pressure, and its regulation, dependent directly upon the condition of a container subjected to all of the influences present within the retort. For this purpose I provide an apparatus suchas that designated by the numeral'` 19, and illustrated more in detail in Figs. 2 and 3. This apparatus is in the nature of a body member or holder having end portions 20 and 21 c onnected by side rails or bars 22, the internal dimensions between the end members and between the bar members being such as to accommodate containers of the sizes which it is intended to subject to the preserving process. The arrangement of said end and bar members is such as to provide a retainer or cradle for one ofthe containers. Upon the end member 2O is a'djustably mounted a platform or base 24, which may be moved as by means of the screw 25, to accommodate containers of different sizes between it and the opposite end member 21. The end lmember 21 may provide the mounting for a suitable valve or controlling device 26, the

details of which are illustrated in Figs. 4,

5, and 6. The end member 21 may also form a mounting for a spring 27, which carries a ring or contact member 28 adapted to engage one end of the container moved thereagainst by adjustment of the base member 24. Such a container is designated `by the character C, and may be either a tin can, or a glass container sealed with av cap K.

As illustrated in F1g. 4, the control device 26 may be in the nature of a valve arrangement in which the valve member 29 has a stem 30 extending through the end member 21 to a proper position to make contact with the surface of the cap or end closure K of the specimen container mounted and held between the ring 28 and the` support 24. The valve 29 controls a pressure line 31, the supply side of which is furnished with fluid pressure from a suitable source and the exhaust side of which is operative upon a pressure responsive device 32 arranged as an actuator for the valve 15 which -controls the supply of pressure fluid. The arrangement is such that the opening of' the valve 29 effects the operation of' valve 15 to admit fiuid pressure to the retort 10.

ln actual operation, when the retort 10 is filled with containers of' food-stuff to be processed, one of the containers typical of the lot with which the retort is charged, is placed in the device 19, suitable adjustment of the member 24 being accomplished to po* sition a pliable or movable portion of the container, such as the metal of a cap K, in operative association with the extremity of the valve stem 30, the container being supported in this fashion by conta-ct with the resiliently held ring 28. and the base members 22. The valve 29 is held seated by the Huid pressure in line 31, or by spring pressure. the position of the container C being regulated to permit the valve 29 to remain seated while the container is in its normal Upon the heat becoming effective upon thev contents of the containers in the retort to produce internal pressure Within them, pliable or movable portions of the containers will be under the tendency of moving outwardly. This will be true of the pliable or .movable portion of the specimenv container C associated with the Valve stem 30, as lcontainer C is typical of the other' containers, both as to structure and contents. Upon a predetermined amount of expansion or movement of the. pliable or movable portion of the container associated with the valve stem 30, the valve 29 will be unseated by the pressure of the expanding portion of the container, permit-ting the, operating pressure in line 31 to become eective upon the motor member 32, and open pressure valve 15. This will admit fluid pressure to the retort which will immediately become effective externally of the containers, including container C, to oppose the internal pressure causing this expansion of portions of the containers. This increase of pressure within the retort will be continued to the point where theexpansion of the container has been counteracted, and the expanded portion moved back to a predetermined position.

1When such readjustment of the container is pressure valve 15. In this fashion, expansion of the containers from internal pressure will be immediately met by a readjustment in the external fluid pressure so that the possibility of the containers being ruptured or distorted, or their closures forced, by the internal pressures, will be automatically prevented. Tn the same manner, when the cooling fluid is admitted to the retort, the sudden drop in external pressurewithin the retort would permit an alteration in position or form of pliable or movable portions of the containers under the remaining internal pressure, which alteration on the part of the specimen container C would result in the unseating of valve 29 in the manner above described, and the consequent increase of the fluid pressure within the retort external of thedcontainers to the point where it would have the proper excess over the internal pressure in the containers and move the altered portion of container C back to its predetermined normal position. The maximum pressure valve 16 affords a limiting means for preventing pressure in the retort reaching a point where it would damage the containers, and the retort may be bled or vented,

as may become desirable during the cooling operation, by means of a vent cock 34.

The supply of heat to the retort is prefably under automatic control. A suitable heat responsive device, such as the thermostat 35, is effective upon a suitable regulator 36 to control the admission of heating fluid by means `of the motor device 37 which operates the valve 12. Admission of heating fluid during the cooling operation is prevented by closing of the hand operated valve 38 in the steam line.

From the foregoing description of my improved regulating process it will be observed that it resides in regulating the admission of fluid pressure into a retort by means of one of 4the containers which is being subjected to the preserving process.

In Fig. 5 is illustrated a form in which the regulating valve may be embodied. The nipples 50 form attachments for the terminals of the pressure line 31, and the ball 51 forms the valve which seats under the pressure. The valve operating rod 52 has its outward movement limited by a stop 54, and is seated in a suitable gland or packing 55 which prevents admission of the pressure from the retort to the controlling valve. The outer extremity of the operating rod 52 is disposed for coperation with the specimen container.

The necessary connectlons for the dev1ce 19 may be made by means of flexible tubing such as flexible `metal pressure hose let out through a suitable gland in the Wall or cover of the retort. While the mounting of the container holder is not limited to such, this sort of arrangement facilitates its handling and manipulation as Well as its placing in the retort along with the other containers.

kBy means of the method and apparatus above described regulation of the pressure Within the retort is rendered entirely automatic and independent of human agency, it being necessary to provide simply the correct initial adjustment of the specimen container in the holding device at which adj ustment the container is retained, expansion of the device 19 byheat being compensated for by suitable means such as'the follower spring 43. Moreover, the use of this method and apparatus entirely eliminates any estimation or speculation as to the necessary pressure for the particular goods in process,

in applying fluid pressure externally to the packages and controlling the application of such fluid pressure by structural alterations effected in a container bv the processing.

3. In the art of preserving, the method of processing comprising applying fluid pressurey externally to sealed packages While applying to a specimen package physical influences accruing during the preserving process and controlling the application of the fluid pressure by alterations in said container induced by such influences.

4. In the art of processing sealed food packages, a method which comprises disposing the packages in a retort, inducing fluid pressure in the retort, and controlling the induction of fluid pressure by structural alterations of a package in the retort.

5. In the art of processing sealed packages under external pressure, the method which resides in applying pressure fluid externally to the containers and controlling the application of said fluid by pressure from a wall of a container subjected thereto.

6. In the art of 'processing food packages, a method .which resides in the applying pressure fluid externally to containers and controlling the application of said fluid by l flections of a portion of one of the packages subjected thereto.

7. In the art of processing sealed food packages, a method which resides in lapplying variable pressure externallyto the containers and controlling the application of said pressure by changes of position of a portion of a package subjected thereto.

8. In the art of rocessing food in sealed containers, the met od which resides in subjecting sealed containers to heat and external fluid presure and regulating the external fluid pressure by movement of a portion of a container occasioned by the heat.

9.1In the art of processing sealed containers, the method consisting of subjecting the sealed containers to heat and external fluid pressure and regulatin the application of fluid pressureexterna ly to the containers by: distortion of one of said containers.

10. In the art of processing capped containers, the method which consists of applying heat to the containers to modify their contents, and controlling the application of external fluid pressure to the containers byf modification of the structural form of a specixn'en container.

11. In the art of processing capped containers, a method of control comprising applying heat'to the containers to modify their contents, applying fluid pressure to the con- Ill tainers and regulating the application of fluid pressure externally to the containers by movement of a closure on one of the containers.

12. In the artof processing food packed in sealed containers, the method including applying heat to the containers to modify their contents, andl controlling the applica' tion of fluid pressure to the containers by movement of a cap of one of the containers subjected to such heat.

13. In the art of processing food in containers, the method including the applying of heat to the containers to modify their contents and controlling the application of fluid pressure to the containers by-structural changes produced in said containers by such application of heat.

14. In the art of processing sealed containers, the method consisting of the application of heat and fluid pressure to the'containers and regulating the application of the Huid pressure by utilizing the changes of form of a container induced thereby.

15. In a preserving apparatus, a device for regulating the application of fluid pressure to containers, comprising means for supporting a specimen container, means for impressing fluid pressure on the exterior of the container, and means operable by a portion of the container for controlling the operation of said last mentioned means.

16. In a preserving apparatus, the combination of means for heating a plurality of containers, means for applying fluid presure externally to such containers, and means operable by movement of a container to control the operation of said pressure appl'ying means.

17. In an apparatus for processing food in containers, means for applying heat simultaneously to a plurality of containers,

means for applying variable pressure simultaneously externally to such containers, and means operable by flection of a portion of a container to control the operation of the pressure applying means.

18. In an apparatus for processing material in containers, in combination, means for heating a plurality of containers, means for applying fluid pressure externally to such containers, and means operable by eX- pansion of a container for controlling the operation of such last mentioned means.

19. In an. apparatus for processing material incontaingrs, in combination, a retort, means for heating a plurality of containers disposed in the retort, means for admitting fluid pressure into the retort, a valve for controlling said last mentioned means, and an element operable by a container for operating said valve.

20. In an apparatus forprocessing material in containers, in combination, a retort, means for heating a plurality of conan element operable by expansion of a container for operating said valve.

22. In an apparatus for processing material in containers, in combination, a retort adapted to inclose a plurality of containers, means for conducting pressure fluid into the retort, and means operable by movement of a Wall of a container for controlling the said last mentioned means.

23. In 'an apparatus for processing food packages, in combination, a pressure line, a 'valve fon controlllng the same, and means for mounting a food package With a Wall portion in operative association with said valve.

211. An apparatus for processing food packages, in combination a retort, means for introducing pressure fluid thereinto, controlling means for controlling the operation-ot1 said last 4mentioned means, 'and means for supporting a food package with a pliable portion thereof in operative association With said controlling means. Y

25. In an 'apparatus for processing packages of food, a retort, means for introducing a fluid pressure thereinto, controlling means for governing the operation of said last mentioned means, and means for adjustably mounting ya food package in operative association with said controlling means.

26. In an apparatus for processing packages of food, the combination of a retort, means for introducing fluid thereinto, controlling means for controlling the operation of said last mentioned means, and means for adjustably mounting a food package in operative association with said controlling means.

27. In an apparatus for processing mater1al in containers, in combination, a retort, means for inducing fluid pressure therein, and means operable by the Wall portion of a container in the retort for varying the fluid pressure therein.

28. In a device for processing material in containers, in combination, a controlling valve, means for supporting a container in association therewith, and means for adjusting the supported container relative to the valve.

29. In a device for processing material in containers, in combination, a controlling device, means for supporting a container in association therewith, and means for adjustlio ing the supported container relative to the controlling device.

30. In an apparatus for processing material in containers, in combination, means for supporting a container, a controlling device operable by the supported container, and means for effecting relative ladjustment of the supported container and controlling dev1ce.

31. In a device for processing material in containers, in combination, a controlling device, supporting means for maintaining a container in operativeassociation with controlling device, and means for adjusting said supporting means to accommodate containers of different sizes.

32. In a device for processing containers, a holder for a container including end members, side members, regulating devices supported by one of said members, and means supported onv another of said members for determining the position of a containerl relative to said regulating devices.

33. In a device for processing containers, in combination, means for supplying fluid, a controlling device therefor, a member for operating the controlling device, and means for supporting a container with its closure in operative association with said member.

34. In an apparatus for processing food packages, in combination, 'a retort, means for supporting food packages Within said retort, means for supplying fluid to said retort, a controlling device for said last mentioned means, and means for supporting said controlling device in operative association with the closure of a food package within thel retort.

35. In a device for processing food packages, in combination a controlling device, supporting means for maintaining a container in operative association therewith, and means to compensate for extension or contraction of the supporting means to maintain the container in proper operative relationship with the controlling device.

36. In a processing apparatus, the combination of a receptacle adapted for the reception of a package, means for supplying fluid to the receptacle to affect a package therein, an actuating element operable by a commercial package in the receptacle, and a controlling device operable by the actuating element and effective to vary the supply of fluid to the receptacle.

37. In a processing apparatus, the combination of a receptacle for the reception of packages, means for supplying fluid to packages Within the receptacle, a controlling device for `regulating the supply of fluid to the packages, and means operable by a commercial package within the receptacle to vary the operation of the controlling device.

38. In a processing apparatus, in combination with a receptacle for packages,

means for inducing opposing influences upon a package in the receptacle, a pressure operated device operable to vary the relationship of the opposing influences so induced, and an actuating member movable by the container of a package within the receptacle for operating the pressure operated device.

39. In a processing apparatus, in combination with a retort, means for sustaining packages Within the retort, a pressure operated device, an actuating member operable by the container of a package within the retort for controlling the operation of the pressure operated device, and processing means for inducing opposing influences upon packages in the retort, one of said processsing means being under control of the pressure operated device.

40. In a processing apparatus, the combination of a receptacle for a package, means for applying fluid to a package Within the receptacle, a controlling device for regulating the operation of said last mentioned means, and a mechanical connection operably associating said controlling device with a package Within the receptacle.

41. In a controlling apparatus, the combination of a receptacle for a package, means for sustaining a package Within the receptacle, means forv supplying fluid to the receptacle, a controlling device for regulating the operation of the last mentioned means, an actuating element effective upon the controlling device, and a package associated with the sustaining means and operable to move the' actuating element.

42. In a processing apparatus, the combination of a retort, means for supplying controlling device for regulating the fluid supply, and a connecting member between the package and controlling device, said connecting member being movable by the package to operate the controlling device.

43. In a device for processing food packages, in combination, a receptacle for a package, means for supplying fluid to said receptacle, a controlling device for regulating the fluid supply, means for maintaining a package in the receptacle in effective association with the controlling device, and means to compensate for variations in the supporting means to maintainv the package in operative position.

44. In` the art of preserving, a method comprising the application of fluid to a package to modify its contents, and the regulation of the supply of fluid by the container comprising a portion of lthe package.

45. In the art of preservin a method comprising the application o fluid to a package and the regulation of the supply of fluid by fleXture of the walls of the container comprising the incasing portion of the package.

46. In a processing apparatus, the combination of a receptacle adapted for the reception of a sealed package, means for supplying heat to the rece tacle tovheat the package therein, means or applying pressure externally to the package within the receptacle, a movable elementoperable by a package in the receptacle, and a controlling device operable by the movable element and effective to vary the pressure applied to the package Within the receptacle.

47. In a processing apparatus, the combination of a receptacle adapted for the reception of a sealed package, means for supplying Huid to the receptacle to affect a package therein, a movable element operable by a package in the receptacle, and a controlling device operable by the movable element and effective to vary the supply of fluid to the receptacle.

WILLIAM P. WHITE. 

